Apparatus for mounting a flat screen display device to a lift mechanism

ABSTRACT

A mounting apparatus for affixing a flat screen display device to a vertical lift mechanism having vertical guide members situated at the lateral sides of a lift including at least one pair of mounting members, at least one pair of hanging members, at least one elongate support member, and at least one pair of bracket members. Each mounting member of the pair is affixed to a respective one of the pair of vertical tubular members at an adjustable position thereon in substantially horizontal alignment with the other mounting member of the pair. Each hanging member of the pair is affixed to a respective one of the mounting members. The at least one elongate support member is adapted for connection to mounting components at the rear of the flat screen display device and structured and arranged to extend substantially horizontally when the display device is mounted to the tubular members of the lift mechanism. The at least one pair of bracket members are affixed in spaced relationship to the at least one support member and each bracket member of a pair is structured and arranged to receive a respective one of the pair of hanging members.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to vertical lift mechanisms, and in particular, to apparatus for affixing a flat screen device to a vertical lift mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has become common to house flat screen display devices, such as LCD or plasma televisions, within cabinets and to extend the device outside the cabinet via a lift mechanism when it is desired to view the display device and then retract it back into the cabinet when viewing is completed.

One of the difficulties in housing a flat screen display device in a cabinet on a lift for selective elevation and retraction from and back into the cabinet is the mounting of the flat screen device in an appropriate position on the lift so that when the lift is fully extended the display device is situated at the proper height for viewing. Since flat screen devices are made in a wide range of sizes, and the distances between the mounting components, usually situated in a rectangular arrangement at the back of the display device, differ from device to device, the apparatus for mounting the flat screen device to the lift must provide dimensional flexibility for cooperation with different rectangular arrangements of mounting components.

To this end, the applicant has designed mounting apparatus for flat screen display devices as shown in United States Patent Application Publications U.S. 2005/0045077 A1 and 2005/0109892 A1. Both publications disclose lift mechanisms which include a pair of vertical elongate tubular members situated at the lateral sides of the support (movable) unit of the lifts, in which vertical slots are formed in their outwardly facing wall portions. Horizontal support members to which the flat screen display device is subsequently affixed are fastened to the vertical members by fastener assemblies which permit a vertical sliding movement of the horizontal support members along the vertical members. Each fastener assembly comprises a flange having one end fixed to a horizontal support member and an opposite end having an opening through which a bolt passes which then extends through the vertical slot of a respective vertical member and engages a nut or locking plate within the tubular member. When the nut and bolt are tightened, the wall portion of the vertical member between them is compressed and the flange and the horizontal support member fixed thereto are thereby locked in place on the vertical member. The vertical position of the horizontal support can be adjusted by loosening the nut and bolt and sliding the flange along the vertical member and then retightening the bolt. This construction therefore enables a continuous adjustment of the vertical position of the flat screen device to a height appropriate for viewing. Moreover, in order to provide some flexibility to accommodate different spacings between the mounting components on the back of different flat screen display devices, the horizontal support member may be formed having a plurality of elongated mounting holes provided along its length (see FIG. 11 of the '077 publication) which provides some horizontal adjustability for the display device.

While these mounting apparatus provide an adjustable mounting of the flat screen display device on a lift mechanism for enabling the device to be positioned most advantageously for viewing, the mounting of the flat screen display device on the lift is still difficult due to the heavy and bulky nature of flat screen displays and the necessity of holding the device adjacent to the lift so that the holes in the flanges of the fastener assemblies align with the slots in the vertical members to enable the bolts to be inserted and tightened. Generally, such mounting requires two individuals, one to hold the flat screen display device in position adjacent to the lift mechanism and one to insert and tighten the bolts of the fastener assemblies while the display is being held by the first individual. This is an expensive and time-consuming procedure.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide new and improved apparatus for mounting a flat screen display device to a lift mechanism.

Another object of the present invention is to provide new and improved apparatus for mounting a flat screen display device to a lift which provides continuous adjustability of the position of the flat screen display device on the lift as well as a simplified installation of the flat screen device to the lift that requires less manpower than has been required by, and which is faster than, conventional mounting apparatus.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide new and improved apparatus for mounting flat screen display devices to lift mechanisms which overcome the problems of prior art mounting apparatus.

Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, these and other objects are attained by providing mounting apparatus for fixing a flat screen display device to a vertical lift mechanism having a vertical guide members situated at the lateral sides of a lift including at least one pair of mounting members, at least one pair of hanging members, at least one elongate support member, and at least one pair of bracket members. Each mounting member of the pair is affixed to a respective one of the pair of vertical tubular members at an adjustable position thereon in substantially horizontal alignment with the other mounting member of the pair. Each hanging member of the pair is affixed to a respective one of the mounting members. The at least one elongate support member is adapted for connection to mounting components at the rear of the flat screen display device and structured and arranged to extend substantially horizontally when the display device is mounted to the tubular members of the lift mechanism. The at least one pair of bracket members are affixed in spaced relationship to the at least one support member and each bracket member of a pair is structured and arranged to receive a respective one of the pair of hanging members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vertical lift mechanism and apparatus for affixing a flat screen display device to the lift mechanism in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference characters designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 1 shows a flat screen display device 10 (shown in phantom for purposes of clarity) affixed to a vertical lift mechanism generally designated 12, via apparatus, generally designated 14, of the present invention. The vertical lift mechanism 12 can be any conventional lift of the type known in the art. As illustrated, the lift mechanism 12 has a telescopic construction including at least a screw activated base unit 16 and a pulley activated support unit 18. Two vertical tubular members 20 are situated at the lateral sides of the support unit 18. It is understood, however, that the apparatus 5 may be used in conjunction with a wide variety of vertical lifts.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus 14 is adapted to connect the display device 10 to the pair of vertical tubular members 20 forming part of the support unit 18 and comprises, two pairs of mounting plates 22, two pairs of set screws 23, two pairs of hanging members 24, a pair of elongate support members 26, and two pairs of bracket members 28. The vertical tubular members 20 are horizontally spaced from each other and are affixed to opposite sides of the support unit 18 of the lift mechanism 12. Each tubular member 20 includes a wall portion 30 situated at the lateral sides of the lift mechanism 12 through which a vertically extending opening 32 is formed. The wall portion 30 has a substantially rectangular cross-section, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Each mounting plate 22 of each pair 22 is situated within a respective one of the pair of vertical tubular members 20 at an adjustable position in substantially horizontal alignment with the other mounting plate of that pair. Each set screw 23 of each pair has a head portion 34 that engages through a washer 35 or other bearing plate, an outer surface 36 of the wall portion 30 of a respective tubular member 20 and a shank portion 38 extending from the head portion 34 through the opening 32 of the respective tubular member 20 that threadedly engages a respective one of the mounting plates 22 situated within the tubular member 20. Each of the mounting plates 22 are affixed to a respective one of the pair of vertical tubular members 20 at an adjustable position by tightening a respective set screw 23 to compress the wall portion 30 between the mounting plate 22 and the set screw head portion 34 and washer 35. The openings 32 extend along the vertical length of the respective vertical tubular members 20, thereby providing continuous adjustability of the position of the flat screen display device 10 on the lift 12, as well as the ability to accommodate display devices 10 of a range of dimensions.

Each hanging member 24 of each pair has an elongate threaded shank portion 42 that has an end threadedly affixed to a respective one of a the mounting plates 22 and extends from the mounting plate 22 through the opening 32 of a respective tubular member externally of the vertical tubular member 20. Each hanging member 24 has a head portion 40 at the end of the shank portion opposite from the end affixed to the mounting plate 22.

Referring again to FIG. 1, each elongate support member 26 (two are shown) is adapted for connection to mounting components (not shown) at the rear of the flat screen display device 10. The support member 26 is structured and arranged to extend substantially horizontal when the display device 10 is mounted to the tubular members 20 of the lift mechanism 12. Each elongate support member 26 has a plurality of elongate slots 27 arranged in upper and lower rows. The elongate slots 27 in each row each overlap vertically with two slots 27 in the other. The center of each elongate slot 27 in each row is vertically aligned with the center of the space between the slots 27 in the other row. The vertical overlap of the holes 27 permits the support member 26 to be secured to any flat screen display device regardless of the configuration of the mounting components. This eliminates the need for manufacturing support members that are model specific. Each elongate support member 26 is formed in a channel construction (see flanges 26 a in FIG. 1) such that the opening of the channel faces the lift mechanism 12 when the elongate support member 26 is affixed to the lift mechanism 12. The channel construction provides clearance for the fasteners that are used to secure the flat screen display device 10 to the elongate support member 26 so that the elongate support member 26 can lie flush against the lift mechanism 12.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the bracket members of each pair of bracket members are affixed in spaced relationship to a respective support member 26, such as by screws or welding. Each bracket member 28 has a cutout 44 formed therein structured and arranged to receive a shank portion 42 of a respective one of a the hanging members 24. The cutout 44 in each of the bracket members extends upwardly from a lower edge region 46 of each bracket member 28. The cutout 44 has an upper portion 48 whose width is substantially equal to the width of the vertical opening 32 in the respective vertical tubular members 20. Each bracket member 28 has a vertical height which exceeds the distance between the hanging member 24 and a respective set screw 23.

The bracket members 28 and the cutouts 44 are designed to facilitate hanging the display device on the hanging members 24. The side of the bracket 28 between the cutout 44 and the back edge 50 of the bracket member 28 is removed from the bottom edge of the bracket to a position above the respective set screw 23. Additionally, the width b2 of the cutout 44 in the area of the bottom edge 52 of the bracket member 28 is greater than the footprint of the set screw 23 and washer 35. The comers of the cutout 44 are cut to form an upper slant 54 toward the back edge 50 of the bracket 28 and a bottom slant 56 that broadens the cutout 44 at the bottom 52 of the bracket 28.

The apparatus 14 of the present invention permits a single installer to affix the flat screen display device 10 to a lift mechanism 12. The hanging members 24 are affixed to the vertical tubular members 20 by inserting the mounting plates 22 into respective vertical tubular members 20, aligning the mounting plates 22 so that the hanging members 24 of each pair are horizontally aligned, and securing the mounting plates 22 to the tubular members 20 by tightening the set screws 23. It is understood that the hanging members 24 must be secured to the vertical tubular members 20 at a height that accounts for the dimensions of the particular flat screen display device 10 that is to be secured.

The flat screen display device 10 is laid in a position that permits the installer to access the back of the device 10. Each elongate slots 27 each elongate support member 26 are then aligned with mounting components, usually mounting holes, on the back of the display device 10. The elongate support member 26 is then fastened to the display device 10 using fasteners inserted through the elongate slots 27 and into the mounting holes on the back of the display device 10. The arrangement of the elongate holes 27 of the elongate support member 26 can accommodate the spacing of the mounting holes for all standard flat screen display devices.

Once the hanging members 24 are securely fastened to the mounting plates 22 and the mounting plates are located at the appropriate positions on the vertical tubular members 20 and the elongate support members 26 are secured to the flat screen display device 10, the installer hangs the display device 10 on the lift 12 by lifting the display device 10 and lowering it onto the front of the lift 12 so that the shank portions 42 of the hanging members 24 are received in the upper portions 48 of respective cutouts 44. The display device 10 can rest on the lift, unsupported by the installer, once the shanks 42 of the hanging members 24 are received in respective upper portion of cutouts 48. The weight of the device 1 is borne by the vertical tubular members through the hanging members 24. As discussed above, the design of the cutout 44 facilitates hanging the display device 10 by reducing the height to which an installer must lift the display device 1 and by guiding the shank 42 of the hanging member 24 into the upper portion 48 of the cutout 44.

At this point, the installer may release the display device 10 and move to the back of the lift 12 to finish affixing the display device 10 to the lift 12. The display device 10 is stable once it is hung on the hanging members 24. At the back of the lift 12, the installer tightens the threaded hanging members 24 so that the head portions 40 of the hanging members 24 compress the bracket members 28 against the wall portion 30 of the tubular members 20, thereby securely affixing the flat screen display device 10 to the lift 12.

The description above indicates that a great degree of flexibility is offered in terms of the present invention Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments disclosed herein. 

1. Apparatus for mounting a flat screen display device to a pair of spaced vertical tubular members of a lift mechanism, comprising: at least one pair of mounting members, each mounting member of a pair affixed to a respective one of said pair of vertical tubular members at an adjustable position thereon in substantially horizontal alignment with the other mounting member of said pair; at least one pair of hanging members, each hanging member of a pair affixed to a respective one of said mounting members of a pair; at least one elongate support member adapted for connection to mounting components at the rear of the flat screen display device and structured and arranged to extend substantially horizontal when said display device is mounted to said tubular members of said lift mechanism; and at least one pair of bracket members affixed in spaced relationship to said at least one support member, each bracket member of a pair structured and arranged to receive a respective one of said pair of hanging members.
 2. Apparatus for mounting a flat screen display device to a pair of spaced vertical tubular members of a lift mechanism, each tubular member having a vertical slot formed in a wall portion thereof, comprising: at least one pair of mounting plates, each mounting plate of a pair situated within a respective one of said pair of vertical tubular members at an adjustable position thereon in substantially horizontal alignment with the other mounting plate of said pair; at least one pair of set screws, each set screw of a pair having a head portion engaging an outer surface of said wall portion of a respective tubular member and a shank portion extending from said head portion through a slot of said respective tubular member and threadedly engaging a respective one of said mounting plates situated within said tubular member, wherein each of said mounting plates are affixed to a respective one of said pair of vertical tubular members at an adjustable position by tightening a respective set screw to compress said wall portion between said mounting plate and said set screw head portion; at least one pair of elongate hanging members, each hanging member of a pair having a shank portion having an end affixed to a respective one of said mounting plates of a pair and extending from said mounting plate through a slot of a respective tubular member externally of said vertical tubular member; at least one elongate support member adapted for connection to mounting components at the rear of the flat screen display device and structured and arranged to extend substantially horizontal when said display device is mounted to said tubular members of said lift mechanism; and at least one pair of bracket members affixed in spaced relationship to said at least one support member, each bracket member of a pair having a cutout formed therein structured and arranged to receive a shank portion of a respective one of said pair of hanging members.
 3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said cutout in each of said bracket members extend upwardly from a lower edge region of each bracket member.
 4. The apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said cutout in each of said bracket members has an upper portion, and wherein the width of an upper portion of a cutout in each bracket member is substantially equal to the width of a vertical slot in a respective one of said vertical tubular members.
 5. The apparatus recited in claim 3, wherein each bracket member of a pair of bracket members has a vertical height which exceeds the distance between an elongate hanging member whose shank is received in a cutout of said bracket member and a respective set screw.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the side of the bracket between the cutout and the back edge of said bracket member is cutoff above said respective set screw.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the width of said cutout in the area of said the bottom edge of said bracket member is greater than the area of said set screw.
 8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the corners of said cutout are cut to form an upper slant toward the back edge of said bracket and a bottom slant that broadens said cutout at the bottom of said bracket.
 9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the side of the bracket between the cutout and the back edge of said bracket member is cutoff above said respective set screw; wherein the width of said cutout in the area of said the bottom edge of said bracket member is greater than the area of said set screw; and wherein the corners of said cutout are cut to form an upper slant toward the back edge of said bracket and a bottom slant that broadens said cutout at the bottom of said bracket.
 10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said hanging members further comprise a head portion at an end opposite from said end affixed to said mounting plate; wherein said shank portion threadedly engages respective one of said mounting plates; and wherein said bracket members are secured to respective hanging members by tightening said hanging members to compress said bracket members between said wall portion and said head portion of said hanging members. 